What makes you a basic Trackday Enthusiast?
Discussion
Z4MCSL said:
What are the main pillars?
Have a track day car?
Not always, plenty of people do it in their daily several times per year.Have a track day car?
Z4MCSL said:
Go on track days (obvs)
As you say...Z4MCSL said:
Get some tuition?
Sure, but plenty of self-taught people out there who are rather fast.Z4MCSL said:
Nurburgring?
I don't think so, lots love it - lots have no interest in it whatsoever (myself included, and I do 6-7 trackdays per year if I can). I think the Ring also attracts some people who would never do a "normal" trackday at home, it's a bit of a once in a lifetime thing for many petrol heads.Other stuff I think you need to be somewhat interested in incrementally upgrading yourself or your car, not everyone does - but many trackdayers will show interest in the maintenance and modification of their vehicles which is why you see so many heavily modified cars and the question is often asked "why didn't you just start with something quicker in the first place", the answer is that people just like tinkering.
For Birthdays and Christmas presents, I would always ask for vouchers for a drift or car control day (don't get that confused with a Drive a Ferrari for 3 Laps Experience).
Appreciating the physics and how cars react is the first step in both driving ability, and overcoming fears driving on the limit.
But this won't turn you into a good driver. Learning to deal with slides, tank slappers and near crashes means you have to be on the edge frequently, otherwise people return to their instinctive reactions. You only change this by being on track regularly and learning from mistakes. With an instructor alongside, you'll learn quicker and always pick something new up.
Playstations are helpful. You can learn the layout of a circuit on consoles / computers so it's one less thing to worry about. I race cars and have used all sorts of fancy simulators but frankly, none have been that amazing - anything that helps me learn which way the turns go is a valuable head-start.
Your connection with the car is important. Harnesses aren't just good for safety; they hold you in place and aid driving as a result. With most cars, that means you need to commit to a racing seat and a harness bar at the very least. You will also need a helmet and a decent pair of narrow, tight fitting trainers or ideally dedicated driving shoes.
You will need a towing eye (that should come with the car), tyre pressure monitor and foot pump, and there's no harm bringing a little extra oil just in case.
Make sure your tyres are of good quality and in good nick. If they need changing, use it as an excuse for the geometry to be checked. Ideally go to a recommend place with a bit of experience - you can then ask for the car to be setup to the limits of what OEM components will allow (i.e. more camber).
The only true modifications you need to make are to the brakes. Beyond your first track day, you will cook the OEM pads and brake fluid. This will spoil your day and ruin the pads from that point on. So, you will need better pads and discs, braided brake lines and higher temp brake fluid.
You are then ready to be a basic trackday enthusiast!
Appreciating the physics and how cars react is the first step in both driving ability, and overcoming fears driving on the limit.
But this won't turn you into a good driver. Learning to deal with slides, tank slappers and near crashes means you have to be on the edge frequently, otherwise people return to their instinctive reactions. You only change this by being on track regularly and learning from mistakes. With an instructor alongside, you'll learn quicker and always pick something new up.
Playstations are helpful. You can learn the layout of a circuit on consoles / computers so it's one less thing to worry about. I race cars and have used all sorts of fancy simulators but frankly, none have been that amazing - anything that helps me learn which way the turns go is a valuable head-start.
Your connection with the car is important. Harnesses aren't just good for safety; they hold you in place and aid driving as a result. With most cars, that means you need to commit to a racing seat and a harness bar at the very least. You will also need a helmet and a decent pair of narrow, tight fitting trainers or ideally dedicated driving shoes.
You will need a towing eye (that should come with the car), tyre pressure monitor and foot pump, and there's no harm bringing a little extra oil just in case.
Make sure your tyres are of good quality and in good nick. If they need changing, use it as an excuse for the geometry to be checked. Ideally go to a recommend place with a bit of experience - you can then ask for the car to be setup to the limits of what OEM components will allow (i.e. more camber).
The only true modifications you need to make are to the brakes. Beyond your first track day, you will cook the OEM pads and brake fluid. This will spoil your day and ruin the pads from that point on. So, you will need better pads and discs, braided brake lines and higher temp brake fluid.
You are then ready to be a basic trackday enthusiast!
I would consider myself a basic track day enthusiast.
I have an MX-5 which is road legal and I drive to and from track days but not my main car, only upgrades are better tyres and brake pad upgrade.
I've done maybe 12-15 track days in total.
I turn up with a small tool box with a few choice tools in, spare oil (which I've never needed touch wood). and my own petrol supply in jerry cans and I go and have fun.
I don't worry about lap times or who is faster than me (most people).
I have an MX-5 which is road legal and I drive to and from track days but not my main car, only upgrades are better tyres and brake pad upgrade.
I've done maybe 12-15 track days in total.
I turn up with a small tool box with a few choice tools in, spare oil (which I've never needed touch wood). and my own petrol supply in jerry cans and I go and have fun.
I don't worry about lap times or who is faster than me (most people).
is it bad that I've done maybe 13-14 track days and never once taken any spare parts 
aside from a torque wrench!!! that's probably the only important thing
luckily, i've never needed any repairs track side. Although usually someone in our group would have basically a whole branch of halfords with them. only time i needed to do anything at circuit was bleed my brakes
track day enthusiast to me is just someone who enjoys trackdays, although you need to go on more than 1 or 2. too often i see people on facebook attending an "action day" at combe usually and then plastering their facebook and groups with the same 2 or 3 photos for the next 2 years
aside from a torque wrench!!! that's probably the only important thing
luckily, i've never needed any repairs track side. Although usually someone in our group would have basically a whole branch of halfords with them. only time i needed to do anything at circuit was bleed my brakes
track day enthusiast to me is just someone who enjoys trackdays, although you need to go on more than 1 or 2. too often i see people on facebook attending an "action day" at combe usually and then plastering their facebook and groups with the same 2 or 3 photos for the next 2 years
Jamescrs said:
I would consider myself a basic track day enthusiast.
I have an MX-5 which is road legal and I drive to and from track days but not my main car, only upgrades are better tyres and brake pad upgrade.
I've done maybe 12-15 track days in total.
I turn up with a small tool box with a few choice tools in, spare oil (which I've never needed touch wood). and my own petrol supply in jerry cans and I go and have fun.
I don't worry about lap times or who is faster than me (most people).
That's a lot like me, except I've only done 4 track days, so far...I have an MX-5 which is road legal and I drive to and from track days but not my main car, only upgrades are better tyres and brake pad upgrade.
I've done maybe 12-15 track days in total.
I turn up with a small tool box with a few choice tools in, spare oil (which I've never needed touch wood). and my own petrol supply in jerry cans and I go and have fun.
I don't worry about lap times or who is faster than me (most people).
Road legal MX5 driven to circuit, never used any tools/oil/water etc. have done a few more modifications (brakes/roll bar/ suspension). Never needed more fuel but always fill up as close to circuit as possible.
Have done quite a few. The main reason is to be able to maintain or improve my skills and to be able to run a car in a way not normally possible on a public road.
I do not have a dedicated trackday car and never have had. However I have a couple of GT3RS which are track focused.
On the other hand I have also tracked cars not well suited to the task including an SUV, a big American station wagon and other stuff.
I learned years ago that it’s not really about the car but the skills of the driver. I cannot count the number of times when I have been overtaken by superbly skilled drivers in objectively slower cars and that is just fine. We all find our own comfort level.
I only did three sessions this year. Watkins Glen in NY, Nürburgring and Spa. I have done many Ring trips and it still intimidates me somewhat but I will likely be back in a year or two.
I do not have a dedicated trackday car and never have had. However I have a couple of GT3RS which are track focused.
On the other hand I have also tracked cars not well suited to the task including an SUV, a big American station wagon and other stuff.
I learned years ago that it’s not really about the car but the skills of the driver. I cannot count the number of times when I have been overtaken by superbly skilled drivers in objectively slower cars and that is just fine. We all find our own comfort level.
I only did three sessions this year. Watkins Glen in NY, Nürburgring and Spa. I have done many Ring trips and it still intimidates me somewhat but I will likely be back in a year or two.
I have bought technical trackday books that I enjoy reading on my boring train commute into London - they are good for technique theory and mental prebriefing / debriefing and especially when coupled with an actual instruction lesson at the track. In the last 15 months, have done 9 trackdays, about half of them with the girlfriend as a second driver.
The most satisfying feeling is progression and looking back to the first trackdays compared to now - also seeing the look on mostly guys' faces when the other half overtakes them, especially after well meaning but ill-thought out comments like: "You're letting her have a little pootle around in it?", "Dont forget to get your shopping out of the boot before you go round!" or during lunch "Can see you're on a diet love" (pointing at her baked potato). It's all part of the fun.
Over time, the plan is to do back seat removal, already have pole positions installed at the front, add a cage and harnesses and convert it from a weekend getaway car, into a more track focused road legal car.
The most satisfying feeling is progression and looking back to the first trackdays compared to now - also seeing the look on mostly guys' faces when the other half overtakes them, especially after well meaning but ill-thought out comments like: "You're letting her have a little pootle around in it?", "Dont forget to get your shopping out of the boot before you go round!" or during lunch "Can see you're on a diet love" (pointing at her baked potato). It's all part of the fun.
Over time, the plan is to do back seat removal, already have pole positions installed at the front, add a cage and harnesses and convert it from a weekend getaway car, into a more track focused road legal car.
Started in January of this year, have a Ford ST3 that someone else spent a bunch of money on, improved it by removing rear seats, adding Advans, race strut front and rear, blue stuff on the front and green on back (already had six pots on the front). Day 1 at Brands with tuition, since attended Brands 6 more times this year, plus Abingdon and Goodwood. have Thruxton, Goodwood and Brands again booked before end of year. Would still class as a rookie but a much quicker rookie now than I was in January and absolutely love it.
Z4MCSL said:
What are the main pillars?
Have a track day car?
Go on track days (obvs)
Get some tuition?
Nurburgring?
It doesn't matter what car you have, just as long as you have a Nurburgring sticker on the back, even if you've never been. Have a track day car?
Go on track days (obvs)
Get some tuition?
Nurburgring?
Racing booties.
Alpinestars t shirt.
Simpson helmet.
LondonTom said:
Z4MCSL said:
What are the main pillars?
Have a track day car?
Go on track days (obvs)
Get some tuition?
Nurburgring?
It doesn't matter what car you have, just as long as you have a Nurburgring sticker on the back, even if you've never been. Have a track day car?
Go on track days (obvs)
Get some tuition?
Nurburgring?
Racing booties.
Alpinestars t shirt.
Simpson helmet.
In the briefing he was stood there in full BMW M Power track suit, top and trousers, nothing to do with trackies but the branding, i thought what an absolute knob. he also had once of those incredibly expensive helmets that's been painted by an african elephant or something.
unfortunately he ended up in a wall , he walked away gladly.
i did offer my assistance to him so not like I laughed at walked away, either.
i've recently started wearing gloves and actually quite impressed! I still wear trackies and t shirt and also have the air con on
LondonTom said:
It doesn't matter what car you have, just as long as you have a Nurburgring sticker on the back, even if you've never been.
Racing booties.
Alpinestars t shirt.
Simpson helmet.
Don't forget to run that towing strap/hook year-round so people know you do trackdays, bruv. Racing booties.
Alpinestars t shirt.
Simpson helmet.
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff